T H E     L I T T L E    T H I N G S

Text: Hina Nitesh

‘It’s the little things that citizens do. That's what will make a difference.

My little thing is planting trees’

Wangari Maathai, Kenyan environmentalist.

 

Handcrafted bamboo furniture

We all need to do our little bit to make a difference. Bengaluru based Bamboopecker is one of those who are doing more than just a little. Established in 2009, the firm has been exploring possibilities of using natural materials like bamboo, cane, mud, coconut etc. to replace the non environmentally friendly materials.     

Coconut shell bowl

In the process of making products with these materials, Bamboopecker is also reviving the traditional craftsmanship skills. The products themselves are designed in a trendy and contemporary way making them desirable.

An amplifier in bamboo with unique artwork

The Bamboopecker store in Bengaluru is one of its kind that has a whole range of sustainable products under one roof.  

Images Copyright: Bamboopecker

Text and creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat

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Concrete Animals

These adorable concrete animals by 'Korridor Design', a Danish Design brand, made me stop in my 'concrete casting research mode' steps. 
With minimalist solid forms, accentuated by softer wood tones, these little figures would make for a heart warming addition to any design lover's collection! See more here.

Images: Copyright   Korridor Design

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  (http://onthedesignboat.wixsite.com/otdb)

Snippet * 28  BLOCK Play

By

Divya Agrawal 

Alphabet inspired wooden blocks by Lena Mühl. Birds perched atop As and snuggled in Vs. 

A very simple and imaginative block set for kids offering a promise of tireless playtime.

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  ( www.onthedesignboat.com )

Stories   in   S_T_I_T_C_H_E_S

by
Divya Agrawal 

Welcome to the heart warming, playful world of 'Miga de Pan' by Argentine designer Adriana Torres. 
With a formal education in Architecture and Graphic Design, here's an artist who works with thread and a needle to create other worlds using fabric and crochet. Her embroideries and crocheted toys are a treat to peruse, with immersing narratives woven through.

Mythical figures and quirky animals wrestle, cycle and meditate in the midst of mountains and flowers here. There is minuteness of detail and an unmistakable feel of the modern in the treatment of each figure. 

Being someone who herself embroiders, I can't help but marvel at the variety of embroidery stitches and the lovely, unusual pastel palette Adriana uses. 

"The mind selects and nests, and with its curious and intrinsic spirit incorporated to the daily effort and an endless imagination has resulted in a collection of precious art pieces..." Adriana Torres

  

The details are enchanting. French knots, running stitch, stem stitches and more create Russian fairy tale like stories!

Miga de Pan's line of kidswear, toys, rugs etc is equally endearing.

Ander the Lion, Farnesio the Elephant, Oswaldo the Bunny, Mr Kuma the Bear and the very unique Coco Terráqueo the giant Armadillo - all these crocheted beauties would touch any child's heart (adults too!) 

I personally found Adrainna Torres work very inspiring, enough to put to paper an embroidery project I had conceptualized some time back. 

I will continue to follow this talented designer's newer offerings at Miga de Pan. You can too!

Images: Miga de Pan

 

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  ( www.onthedesignboat.com ) 

 

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MIGHTY Card Games

 by
Divya Agrawal 

"The Details are not the details. They make the Design." 

 Ray & Charles Eames

The husband-wife designer duo whose work is an amalgam of beauty and utility, art and science, designed a game called the "House of Cards" in the 1950's, comprising cards with slots that allow a player to interlock them and create a variety of structures.
 

Images from Art, Science and the world around us are printed on one side and vibrant colored panels on the other. These decks are universally loved and find a place in the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Hours of fun for adults and children alike!

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  ( www.onthedesignboat.com ) 

 

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When COLOR fuses with GLASS

by
Divya Agrawal 

 

 

"Rings, rings and rhythms. Whirls in a flow. Ever again – and a feeling of something, itself reflected and making reflected images. The movement of light – a moment that has passed. Already gone." Tapio Wirkkala

 

The versatile and internationally celebrated Finnish Designer & Artist Tapio Wirkkala (1915-85) collaborated with Venini in Murano, Italy to design a stunning range of colored glassware. With interest in in nature, movement and structure, Tapio's pieces from this collection are a tribute to his inspirations and to the tradition of Venetian glass blowing.

 

 

Images: Tapio Wirkkala

 

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  ( www.onthedesignboat.com ) 

 

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Nature in Print

by Divya Agrawal

"Nature is what we see,

The Hill, the Afternoon -

Squirrel, Eclipse, the Bumble-bee,

Nay - Nature is Heaven.

Nature is what we hear,

The Bobolink, the Sea -

Thunder, the Cricket -

Nay - Nature is Harmony........"

 By Emily Dickinson (1830-86)

It is the small things in life that give the greatest joys. A thoughtful gesture, your child's loving embrace, moments of quiet and reflection - all are filled with solace and joy. So is a stroll on a tree lined avenue, where one can admire the riches of nature - flowers, leaves, birds - blooming and bountiful, brimming over with life.

Marimekko, on our feature today, is an acclaimed Finnish design house well known for its brightly colored prints, many of them nature inspired. Here's a selection of few that I found delightfully eye-catching. Browse and revel in their beauty in a moment of silence. Wonder at the ways Nature inspires us and the shapes it can take in our imagination..

 

Images: Copyright Marimekko

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  ( www.onthedesignboat.com )

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W I N T E R

By Divya Agrawal

Winter is a time for enjoying many a activity afresh - walks in the lovely afternoon sun, admiring nature's colors and variety, cosying up in woolens and many more. 

Mumbai is colder than usual this season. I am wrapped up in a light sweater and feeling very inspired - by the small excursions I have been able to go on, the new things I've seen and by the general sense of cool cosyness at home.

A perfect time to share 'winter ideas' with our readers - a selection of products that say warmth and winter!

Colors acquire a new meaning in this season. Brightness appeals, be it of the sun or in the surroundings. Poppies are one of my favorite flowers - these hand felted slippers with bright red poppies and the printed merino wool scarf are truly a winter luxury.

Images (Etsy): 1. sudarium; 2. anitaivancenko; 3. Crafticum; 4. AureliaFeltStudio

Cold calls for warmth and when is a better day to enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate with frosted cookies?!

Images (Etsy): 1. JuliaSmithCeramics; 2. OldTimeFavorites; 3. FreshPottery;  4. PrintableWisdom;

Mumbai is close to strawberry land, and one big aspect of winter for our family is strawberries :) Bake with them, add cream or simply eat them fresh. Better still, Wear them!

Images (Etsy): 1. ManyMornings; 2. CosyFabric; 3. francesfoxvintage

 Many reminders that winter is here - penguin paper clips and snow squirrel printed tote bag, a crocheted Christmas tree bookmark, a woollen kilim cushion and candles..

Images (Etsy): 1. HoweCute4You; 2. ChezGermaineCaillou; 3. rugold; 4. DecoDvorik, 5. Draiguna;

Nature is poetry in winter as snow shines on thistles and shrubs.

 Volcanic ash freezes in this iceberg to form patterns - so amazing!

Images (Etsy): 1. TheForestsEdgePhotos; 2. EyePoetryPhotography; 3. FotoartbyMarky

 Cardinals are the nature's bright spot in white winters. A collection of prints celebrating this beauty.

Images (Etsy): 1. strawberryluna; 2. GailWatkinsFineArts; 3. bmarinacci

Fairytales often speak about the clever red fox up to some tricks in a snowy winter. I personally love the orange colored animated depictions of this lovable animal. 

How about having her for company on a winter day - on your woolens and stationary?!

Image (Etsy) : 1. PeddlingPanda; 2. MelimeBabyArt; 3. Tuttolv; 4. JahnaVashti

Cosy and warmth immediately associates with babies. My mother pampered me as a kid with umpteen hand knitted, beautifully patterned sweaters and caps. Indeed, nothing matches the warmth of a hand knitted woolie..

Images (Etsy): WinterWhiteKnits; 2,4. SilverMapleKnits; 3. MerrycatShop; 5. rugold; 6. SrechaHandknits

Images (Etsy): 1. JillyAtlanta; 2. PetiteBellaaa; 3. thepurplehedgehog; 4. SewnNatural

Winter i.e. more indoors i.e. toys :) 

The gnomes are simply adorable. A cleverly designed puzzle - a polar bear family huddling together in the cold..Owls, bunnies - take your pick!

Images (Etsy): 1. HookedoPatterns; 2. PUPURIN; 3. Ecopuzzle; 4. StudioInBudapest; 5. mochimochiland

 More for warmth - jackets, scarves, hoodies and boots. One for your cellphone too ;)

Images (Etsy): 1. MaLieb; 2. AureliaFeltStudio; 3. WoolenClogs; 4. anitaivancenko; 5. WinterWhiteKnits

Some winter landscapes in print. 

I love the minimalism in the prints on extremes - a very poetic depiction of the bareness in a snowy Winter..

Images (Etsy): 1. blancucha; 2. FavoriteStory; 3. evesand

 Let's end here celebrating the spirit of Christmas and all the cheer it brings :)

 

Images (Etsy): 1.  FreshModernFabric; 2. MyKnitCroch; 3. KnockKnockCloset

All Images: Copyright respective Artists, Designers

 

 

Text & creative layout copyrights: On the Design Boat  ( www.onthedesignboat.com )

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T O Y S    t h a t   c o m e   A L I V E

By Divya Agrawal

Children's fiction is alive with stories where toys come to life. They speak, dance and act like living beings. Our featured artist for today, Nadya Sheremet's handcrafted toys are similar - they come very close to being alive. Being somebody who enjoys crafting by hand, I am completely taken in by the beauty and detail in Nadya's creations. 

Nadya creates elaborate sets to photograph these toys. The result is nothing short of stunning.  

Born in Ukraine and living in Russia, Nadya cites forests and mountains as her big love. "Nothing pleases me as much as unity with Nature."

 There are many more aspects of Nadya's work that are eye catching - extravagant hairdos, designer costumes, intricate embroidery and a balanced use of many interesting fabrics.

The clothing is elaborately designed and detailed. I love the blue coat with an over sized collar above, showing off the embroidery design on the dress underneath.

Note the wooden legs and embroidered faces on the pirate pair. Natural antlers - what a lovely addition to this jacket totting reindeer!

  

Nadya's creations also include brooches, stuffed animal toys and other items - all incorporating her sometimes unconventional, always elaborate embroidered designs.

What an impressive confluence of fabrics, embellishment and design! A treat indeed! 

 All images: Copyright Nadya Sheremet

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